Mechanical Ventilation Flashcards
What is the primary reason patients on a mechanical ventilator at home cannot breathe without assistance?
They may lack an underlying respiratory drive due to conditions like congenital defects or chronic lung diseases.
Patients with traumatic brain injury or muscular dystrophy may also require mechanical ventilation.
What type of patients typically require a mechanical ventilator?
Patients with congenital defects, chronic lung diseases, traumatic brain injuries, muscular dystrophy, or other conditions that weaken breathing ability.
These patients may need a permanent tracheostomy.
True or False: Patients with tracheostomies can breathe through their mouth and nose.
False
They typically do not breathe through the mouth and nose.
What should be done if a mechanical ventilator malfunctions and the patient can breathe on their own?
Remove the patient from the ventilator and apply a tracheostomy collar.
A tracheostomy collar is designed to cover the tracheostomy stoma.
What is a tracheostomy collar?
An oxygen-delivery device designed to cover the tracheostomy stoma with a neck strap.
It is typically found in intensive care units.
Fill in the blank: If a tracheostomy collar is not available, you can improvise by placing a _______ over the stoma.
face mask
Adjusting the strap can help achieve a fit over the patient’s neck.
What should be used to ventilate a patient if their own ventilations are absent or inadequate?
A bag-mask device.
This device can be attached to the tracheostomy tube for ventilation.
Who can assist during the transport of patients on home mechanical ventilators?
The patient’s caregivers.
They know how the mechanical ventilator works and can help attach the bag and valve.
What is essential for patients on home mechanical ventilators during transport?
Assisted ventilation throughout transport.
This ensures that the patient continues to receive necessary respiratory support.
